T.J. Houshmandzadeh picks Seattle Seahawks over Minnesota Vikings

Houshmandzadeh signs with Seahawks

Despite a spirited effort, the Vikings' bid to land coveted free-agent receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was foiled by a familiar foe: the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks exacted revenge three years after the Vikings wrested Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson from them by including a "poison pill" in a seven-year, $49 million contract.

The Vikings persuaded Houshmandzadeh to leave Seattle on Saturday, escorting him to Minnesota via private jet, and they wined and dined him during a 24-hour visit. But despite a strong push from the Vikings, Houshmandzadeh left Minnesota without signing a contract, and the Seahawks landed him Monday after reportedly increasing their offer.

The National Football Post, a Web site run by two former NFL executives and two agents, reported that the Seahawks offered almost $2 million more than the closest competitor. ESPN reported that Houshmandzadeh received a five-year, $40 million contract that included $15 million in guarantees.

It's too early to read much into the contract numbers, because terms often are exaggerated. But the $8 million average might have been too steep a price for the Vikings. Two other 30-something receivers, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss, signed deals last year that averaged $9 million a year, but Houshmandzadeh doesn't have comparable credentials and isn't regarded as a No. 1 receiver.

He also turns 32 in September.

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Still, his route-running skills, his sure hands and his toughness would have made him an ideal complement to Berrian in the Vikings' version of a West Coast offense.

In an interview with ESPN the Magazine, Houshmandzadeh made clear that money was his No. 1 priority. In talking about the so-called "hometown discount," he rhetorically asked himself, "If I have to make a choice between the best team and the best money? I'm not stupid, man. I'll take the money."

But Monday evening, shortly after news of his signing broke, Houshmandzadeh said in an interview on ESPN's "SportsCenter" that Matt Hasselbeck's presence in Seattle factored into his decision.

He noted that he played with a "great quarterback" in Carson Palmer and he would get to "play for another great quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck."

Although injuries limited Hasselbeck to seven games last season, he is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and he passed for 28 TDs against 12 interceptions in 2007. Palmer has been named to the Pro Bowl twice. The last Vikings quarterback to make the Pro Bowl was Daunte Culpepper, after the 2004 season. Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels are slated to compete to be the Vikings' starting quarterback.

Seattle also is closer than the Twin Cities to Houshmandzadeh's offseason home in Los Angeles.

But Houshmandzadeh was intrigued by the Vikings.

"You look at Minnesota and the team that they have, and it was hard to say no to those guys," he said during the ESPN interview. "But, ultimately, I thought Seattle was the best place for me, and I'm not going to look back."

Although they were 4-12 last season, when they were dogged by injuries, the Seahawks won the NFC West from 2004-07.

"I just felt like it was the best destination, the best team, the best choice for me," Houshmandzadeh said on ESPN. He said the decision was "tougher than I thought it was going to be," and he noted that he doesn't make "snap decisions."

But he acknowledged that, "I think I was thinking a little too much."

Given their interest in Houshmandzadeh, the Vikings obviously want to upgrade their receiving corps. But there's a dramatic drop-off of available talent after Houshmandzadeh.

Given the glut of options, the Vikings might opt to let the market settle and wait for players to approach them, at deeply discounted prices.

One restricted free-agent receiver who could be of interest is Lance Moore of the New Orleans Saints. Moore caught 79 passes for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He also has returned punts and kickoffs.

The Saints have the option to match any offer to Moore from another team. If they choose not to match, the Saints would get a second-round draft pick.